Early last week A Iola Indians head coach Troy Smith said his entire squad was going to be available for Fridays doubleheader to face Emporia. They were, and Smiths side made the most of it.
The Indians snapped Emporias six-game winning streak with scores of 5-3 and 4-0 Friday evening at Riverside Park.
It feels great to have everybody back and you could tell tonight, Smith said. We played better as a unit, not like those four games where we didnt have everybody. When we have everybody, I feel like everyone knows their role and were better.
Iola set the tone right from the beginning. Nathan Louk started the first inning by hitting a sharply-hit ground ball to Emporias shortstop to reach off an error. Ryker Curry followed Louk with a single up the middle, and Bradyn Cole also reached on an error to load the bases. Next batter Dillon Bycroft grounded into a double play, but that didnt stop Louk from scoring as Iola took an early 1-0 lead.
The Indians added two runs to their lead in the second inning. Kole Rogers added another Iola run after a passed ball, and Tyson Hemerecks fly ball to deep center field allowed Dillon Slaven to tag-up from third to add two more runs to the Iola lead, making the score 3-0.
In the third inning, Bycroft added two more RBIs to his daily account. Iolas first baseman singled on a line-drive to center field to bring home Curry and Cole. Iolas 5-0 lead was good enough to carry them the rest of the way.
Cole featured on the mound for Iola, his first appearance since the Adam LaRoche Baseball Tournament in Fort Scott nearly two weeks ago. Cole went the first 4 2/3 innings, allowing four hits to go with three earned runs. The Iola ace also picked up seven strikeouts. The only downside were the seven uncharacteristic walks he allowed. Smith emphasized Cole was rusty in part by being away for a recent basketball camp in Missouri.. By the end of Coles appearance, the Indians lead was cut to 5-3.
Cole hadnt thrown for awhile and was real shaky honestly, Smith said. He wasnt getting hit hard, he was just walking batters. He never found a rhythm with his breaking-ball, and was fastball heavy and couldnt locate. He still made it through nearly five innings, just not his best five innings.
Louk finished off Emporia, allowing no runs the rest of the way. Louk handed Iola the Game 1 win 5-3, and snapping Emporias six-game winning streak that had featured Ottawa, Derby, El Dorado and Garnett.
Louk was on the mound again for Iola in Game 2 and tossed a gem. The soon-to-be junior Mustang went the complete five-inning game, allowing no hits to go along with six strikeouts.
He has pitched for me forever, and there arent many guys I trust more than him, Smith said. I would put him in any situation at any time. He is someone I know I can count on, and someone who is going to throw strikes and going to compete.
With a stable force on the mound, all Iolas offense needed was at least one run. The first Indian run came in the second inning. Cooper Riley started the inning by splitting the gap in the infield to reach first on his only single of the game. Slaven followed with a walk, and Troy Hermreck loaded the bases after his line drive was mishandled by the Emporia left fielder. Rogerss hard-hit ground ball was mishandled in the infield allowing Riley to score, and handing Iola the 1-0 lead.
After two scoreless innings, the Indians added some insurance runs in the fourth. Slaven reached first on his second walk of the day, and stole second to put an Indian in scoring position. Hermrecks double to left field brought home Slaven, and Eli Smith followed with a double of his own to score Hermreck. Drake DeLaTorres RBI scored Smith to give the Indians a 4-0 lead heading into the final inning. After two fly-ball outs, Louk put the icing on the cake to leave the Emporia batter looking with his sixth strikeout of the game.
Today we were good, Smith said. We pitched very well which I expect from this team, and we were very good defensively which obviously helps your pitching. We hit the ball well and had good swings all night. I just feel like if we score, we win plain and simple.
The Indians will have a busy Independence Day week. Iola will have doubleheaders Tuesday and Wednesday evening against Chanute and Ottawa. Both games will be at Riverside Park as Iola looks to finish off strong before heading into zone play.
